The Swiss Environment Minister, Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger opened the ministerial part of the First Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention in Geneva on Thursday of this week. This Convention regulates exports and imports of the most dangerous pesticides and chemical products. As Head of the Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) Mr. Leuenberger expressed delight that so many countries have shown a readiness to accept responsibility and to seek information about the dangers associated with these products in a transparent manner. On Friday the conference will decide on the permanent location of the Convention Secretariat. Geneva and Rome have submitted a joint candidature. Bonn is also a candidate. For a related story by UN News, see
http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_13579.shtml.
